Forecast & Business Planning Manager - Manufacturing Brand

We are recruiting for a Forecast and Business Planning Manager to join one of the world's most iconic heritage manufacturing brands. The role offers a competitive salary, a market-leading benefit package, and hybrid working based in Woking.
Please be aware this role is a 24-month FTC with strong potential to go permanent for the right candidate.

You'll be responsible for aligning global market demand, production capacity, and commercial objectives to deliver annual sales, revenue, and profitability targets. The position leads short-term and in-year business planning, ensuring accurate forecasting, effective vehicle allocation, optimised product mix, and proactive risk management across multiple regions and functions.

• Own sales, production, and volume forecasting for current and future business plans.
• Lead global demand planning and consensus forecasting processes with regional stakeholders.
• Present forecasts, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership and drive execution of approved plans.
• Optimise sales mix, inventory levels, order bank quality, and contribution margins.
• Oversee vehicle allocation, production scheduling alignment, and monthly sales performance management.
• Drive adoption of AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics to improve forecasting accuracy and decision-making.
• Collaborate with Sales, Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, and Product teams to support business planning and new product introductions.
• Monitor forecast performance, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to protect revenue and volume targets.
• Lead management reporting, budgeting, and long-range planning integration.

• 8–10+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, sales operations, or business planning within a global automotive or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of sales forecasting, supply-demand balancing, production planning, and commercial operations.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross‑functional planning processes.
• Advanced analytical, modelling, and forecasting skills, with expertise in Excel and planning systems.
• Experience leveraging data analytics, AI, and predictive modelling to improve business outcomes.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure while managing complex, fast‑changing business priorities.

Location:

3-4 days a week in the Woking office (may be negotiable if you're travelling from further)

Benefits:
Competitive salary and market‑leading benefits package